Buddy Bench

Several youth and adults from the Rhinelander area were honored at the annual Girl Scouts of Distinction event held Saturday, April 27, at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau. Quinn Williams and Cecilia Ward of Troop 7057 received the Bronze Award for their “Buddy Bench” project. According to a press release, Quinn and Cecelia built a bench for their school, after seeing a need to help boost inclusivity and a sense of belonging among young students. Troop Leader Julie McGuire helped the girls construct the bench, paint it and move it to its current location under a tree near the playground at Nativity Catholic School in Rhinelander. Junior Girl Scouts earn the Bronze Award by teaming up with other girls to make a difference in their communities. They gain essential leadership skills and learn that even seemingly small actions can make a big impact, the release states. Ceclia and Quinn are pictured above placing the Buddy Bench under a tree in their school playground. Local residents Krystal Fochs, Lisa Neitzel, Sara Rudesill, Angela Varner and McGuire also received Volunteer of Excellence Awards at the event.